CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
The Illinois delegation got together Wednesday morning for breakfast in Charlotte, North Carolina, before heading out for a day of activities, meetings, and speeches.
Charlotte has had a busy gathering of Illinois politicians and activists with a large speakers list, including a number of big names, like the mayor of Chicago.
Rahm Emanuel was introduced by the chairman of the Illinois delegation, House Speaker Mike Madigan, who made a reference to all of the financial problems facing Chicago.
"Chicago is like any major urban center in America," Madigan started. "It's got a whole host of problems beginning and ending with finances. Chicago, like every other city, needs someone who has the intellectual capacity and the courage to stand and to say, ‘look, there has to be change.' We have to do things differently if this government is going to continue to provide the services that the people of the city of Chicago rightly expected to deliver. Let me give to you an outstanding mayor of the city of Chicago, a very good friend of all of us: Rahm Emanuel."
Emanuel took to the podium, seemingly not happy with his introduction. He responded sarcastically," Thank you. Mr. Speaker, thank you. I want to thank you for that uplifting introduction."
The mayor made a passionate appeal for re-election of Barack Obama. He is reportedly going to be raising some national funds playing a much larger role than he has as a fund-raiser in recent years for the president.
When the mayor stepped off the podium he was asked by reporters about Chicago's troubles -- not regarding finances, but the other issues he faces, including the threat of a teachers strike.
"It is in the interests of the city of Chicago that President Obama gets re-elected," Emanuel told reporters. "The president and his team asked me to speak. I'm going to be here. I don't think in 36 hours we will miss a beat. They met yesterday, they will meet today. I have been in contact with my team. I was meeting with the vice chair of the school board."
The mayor will be on the convention floor Wednesday evening to see the first president he worked for, Bill Clinton. Rahm Emanuel served as political director in the Clinton White House, and is going to be speaking to the convention Wednesday. Clinton is one of the long time favorites of democrats in Illinois, and a speech many are looking forward to hearing.
